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Luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) today reported falls in revenues and profits for the first quarter to June 30.

The firm, which employs 4,500 staff at its Halewood manufacturing plant, said it had turned in a “solid” performance and blamed the lower figures on the high levels of sales and profits in the same period a year ago.

JLR revealed that total vehicle sales of 114,905 for the three months were broadly in line with the previous year’s record first quarter.

It said strong growth in the UK, mainland Europe and North America was able to offset slower sales in China.

However, total revenues of £5bn were down by £351m compared with a year ago.

And profit before tax came in at £638m, which was £286m lower than last year, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of £821m were £266m below 2014 levels which, the company said, was “a very strong quarter”.

“These results are a testament to our balanced market presence in five international regions.

“Demand for our premium vehicles remains encouraging, fully justifying our continued strategy of investing in world-class technologies, manufacturing facilities, skilled employees and services, ensuring that Jaguar Land Rover puts customers first in every part of the business.”

The group has three plants in the UK, including Halewood which makes the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque.

JLR opened a car factory near Shanghai, in a joint venture with Chinese car maker Chery, last year, and it is building another plant in Brazil.

There are claims that the car maker could also be considering America, or Mexico as further potential sites for new factories, and it is believed to be mulling over potential locations for an East European factory.

Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and even Turkey are thought to be in the frame.

The company currently builds a total of around 462,000 vehicles a year in its UK plants, but its overseas ambitions could put the group in a position to build between 1.2 million and 1.5 million vehicles a year.